Investec is helping South African learners and their families navigate changing career opportunities through a free national livestream focused on the future world of work.
The next Invest-ED Live event will take place on 16 September 2026, bringing professionals, entrepreneurs, creators and athletes together to share practical insights with Grade 8 to 12 learners, parents, guardians and educators.
Invest-ED is Investec’s national programme designed to help high-school learners prepare for further study, careers and an economy being reshaped by technology and new ways of working.
The programme is already attracting significant interest. More than 4,000 people participated in the inaugural Invest-ED event, demonstrating demand among families for accessible career and education guidance.
The upcoming one-hour livestream will explore opportunities across technology, the creator economy and professional sport, while helping learners understand that career paths are increasingly likely to evolve throughout their working lives.
“For many families, choosing what to study has become a much bigger decision than selecting a degree or qualification,” said Lesley-Anne Gatter, Global Head of People & Organisation at Investec.
She said artificial intelligence is changing how work is performed while new industries and career opportunities continue to emerge.
“This makes career planning less about choosing one fixed goal, and more about building the confidence and capability to navigate change,” Gatter said.
Learners will hear from Thalia Pillay, CEO and co-founder of Orca Fraud, who will explore artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, digital trust and emerging career opportunities in fraud prevention.
Attorney and digital creator Didi Karabo Khumalo will share her experience of moving from a traditional career in law into content creation, offering learners another perspective on how careers can develop beyond conventional professional pathways.
Professional sport will also form part of the conversation. A pre-recorded segment featuring Cheslin Kolbe, Teboho Mokoena, Kaiyuree Moodley and Mpumelelo Mhlongo will examine the realities of professional sport and the importance of preparing for careers beyond competition.
Rather than attempting to predict which jobs will dominate the economy decades from now, Invest-ED is focused on giving young people information and perspectives that can help them adapt as opportunities change.
“The aim is not to predict exactly what the world of work will look like in 10 or 20 years. Instead, Invest-ED is designed to help young people understand the forces shaping the rapidly changing economy, and build the confidence to respond to them,” Gatter said.
Invest-ED Live takes place on Wednesday, 16 September 2026, from 18:30 to 19:30, with participation available online at no cost.
